Daily Thoughts: In reading the
scriptures for today two thoughts came to mind. First I have always liked the
section from Isaiah which is the first reading today. It carries for me the
hopefulness that one day swords, guns, bombs and all other means of violence
will be beaten into plowshares, microchips, ovens, stoves, refrigerators,
anything useful and life giving. I hope and live for the day when we will no
longer train younger women and men for war ever again and that every nation
will live in peace! Yes, I know this might be an impossible hope, but I still
hope. Perhaps for me Emily Dickinson puts it best – "Hope is the thing
with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune--without the words,
and never stops at all!" May hope never stop for any of us!
My second thought today centers on the
Gospel. It is a familiar story in Matthew's Gospel of the centurion who asks
Jesus to heal a servant. Did you ever realize when reading the Gospels that
many of the people whom Jesus encounters with life change faith are not part of
the faith community but seen as outsiders. This centurion has great faith, a
faith that ultimately brings healing to his servant. This Gospel story and
others like it should remind us that God's presence, God's healing, God's
grace, God's work can come from anywhere and from anyone. Dismissing people for
any reason is not a good practice because by dismissing them we may just be
dismissing God and an opportunity to be healed!
As so as we begin this journey of Advent
let us commit ourselves to renewing the gift of hope in our lives,
strengthening our own faith and respecting the gift of others in life so that
we never give up on peace or miss a chance to encounter God’s healing presence.
Have a great day everyone and a blessed Advent!
Daily Prayer: O God of all who wait,
grace us today with your gift of peace and help us to see, to find, to
recognize your gift in ourselves and in all we meet. Grace us with your gift of
faith that we might bring healing to each moment of life. Grace us with your
hope that we might find you in each person and every moment of life even though
we are unworthy to have you enter under our roof! Grace us with your joy in
life this day and always! Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: God does not wait
at the finish line; God is constantly with us in all things and all people. As
we run, as we live, our task is simply to recognize that fact and hold it with
us!
Daily Blessing: Monday
blessings to all - Welcome to December and Happy Advent! I hope your long Thanksgiving weekend was filled with a lot
of good food, family, friends and some much needed rest and relaxation. I also
hope you were able to enjoy the time and that it wasn’t just about shopping!
As for me beginning at 5:30 pm on
Saturday evening I began my preaching journey through eight masses which ended
around 6:45 pm on Sunday evening. As you might imagine it was a workout and I
was certainly tired last night but it was also very life-giving because this is
such a spirit filled community here at St. Paul’s. A very welcoming community
from many places around our world I am so looking forward to the beginning of
the mission tonight! If you are in the Tampa area come join us at 7:00 pm this
evening!
If you get a chance please offer a
prayer for the faith community here at St. Paul’s that they will have a spirit
filled mission that will help them to begin a faith-filled journey through
Advent! Also if you could offer a little prayer of healing for their pastor,
Fr. Bill, who is experiencing some scary health issues at this time. He spent
Thanksgiving Day in the hospital. Also a little prayer for the preacher will be
greatly appreciated!
Have a great Monday friends. May God be
with you as you enter this new work week. May God bless all your endeavors today,
all your meetings and encounters with others, all your projects, work and responsibilities
today. May God bless your travels and your quiet time. May God bless you and
all whom you love with a day filled with his grace, hope, joy, love and peace. May
God also bless you with a faith-filled journey through this holy season of
Advent! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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